AVS 46th International Symposium
    Nanometer-scale Science and Technology Division Monday Sessions
       Session NS1-MoA

Paper NS1-MoA5
SPM Tip-Sample Interactions in Primary Alcohols of Varying Chain Length

Monday, October 25, 1999, 3:20 pm, Room 612

Session: Nanoscale Tribology and Adhesion
Presenter: R.M. Ralich, University of Akron
Authors: R.M. Ralich, University of Akron
Y. Wu, University of Akron
R.D. Ramsier, University of Akron
P.N. Henriksen, University of Akron
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Interactions between functionalized tips and substrates in scanning probe microscopy (SPM) are usually investigated by utilizing an intervening liquid medium, however the results may be influenced in various ways by the medium itself. In this study the chain length of a series of primary alcohols is shown to affect adhesion measurements. The measurements are performed between a layer of phosphonic acid adsorbed on an aluminum substrate and an aluminum-coated, hydroxyl-terminated silicon nitride tip. These are adsorption systems that have been characterized previously by vibrational spectroscopy and form a stable, well-defined system for studying the effects of the medium on adhesion. Adhesion forces between the tip and sample are observed to decrease as the alcohol chain length is increased. These data imply that a synergistic combination of fundamental interactions is responsible for adhesion in this system.